Contrary to what WPRK’s director told us months ago, the Rollins College radio station is still not back on the air. But it’s not his fault, it’s Mother Nature keeping them down; The popular student-run station lost their antenna last September when Irma struck and has been streaming their programming online ever since.

WPRK spokesperson, Greg Golden, had told Bungalower in March that they were waiting on approval from the FCC in order to move forward but they seem to have hit a bird-shaped snag.

An eagle-eyed volunteer from the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey has been keeping an eye on a pair of bald eagles that have nested near the radio station’s new transmitter. Bald eagles are a Federally-protected species, under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, and as such any activity that may “disturb” bald eagles must be avoided or minimized. Which means any construction on or around the tower has halted until further notice.

Bald eagles were removed from the Endangered Species List in 2007 but the protection Act still applies. This may seem familiar to you if you recall our story in 2015 when eagles nested at The Yard development site right before their scheduled demolition of the Ivanhoe warehouses.

We’ve been informed that once the eagles have left their nest, WPRK will be allowed to apply for permits with the City of Winter Park and receive a new construction date.

Side Note: WPRK’s basement station headquarters are currently being renovated. All operations have been moved to the Stewart House on Rollins campus for the remainder of the academic year. Scroll down to see a rendering of what is being built.

Rendering via Rollins College

Brendan O'Connor

Editor in Chief of Bungalower.com

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